Carl Fearns is close to completing a U-turn over his move to Gloucester, according to reports in France.

RMC Sport have reported that the back-row forward is set to sign a three-year deal to stay at Lyon after weeks of negotiations with Gloucester over compensation to be concluded in the next "24 or 48 hours" and have been told: "Everything is almost completed."

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Gloucestershire Live understands that Lyon have offered to double the salary Fearns would have been on at Gloucester.

Gloucester have not yet confirmed the reports and have not made a comment.

Former Bath and Sale star Fearns was the first arrival for the 2017-18 season to be announced by Gloucester in November after agreeing a three-year deal.

It emerged in March that Lyon had attempted to prevent Fearns from leaving but had an offer rejected by Gloucester.

The Top 14 outfit refused to let it go though as speculation continued that Fearns would go back on the move but Gloucester stood firm and, with the player under contract, they could still continue to play hardball in the negotiations.

The Cherry and Whites are set to sign South African flanker Ruan Ackermann, the son of incoming head coach Johan Ackermann, which would help to fill the void if Fearns does not end up at Kingsholm.